Skip to main content

No, iRobot is not setting up Roomba's to steal your home mapping data

irobot roomba wont sell mapping data 980 jumbotron
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Are you enjoying your robotic Roomba vacuum? Well, some consumers may have had cause to be a little anxious this week. In an interview with Reuters, iRobot chief executive Colin Angle gave the impression that the company was selling consumers’ home mapping data that was picked up by the device. This week, Angle decided to clear the air and tell us what’s really going on.

“First things first, iRobot will never sell your data,” Angle told ZDNet in a followup interview. “Our mission is to help you keep a cleaner home and, in time, to help the smart home and the devices in it work better.” So you don’t have to worry about your Roomba 960 stealing your personal data.

In the original interview with Reuters, Angle seemingly suggested that the company could hash out a deal with Apple, Google, or Amazon in the coming year and so to sell customers’ home mapping data. ZDNet’s David Gewirtz then reached out to Angle via a letter, stating his concerns. It was then that Angle rephrased what he originally meant to say. It seems like Angle was trying to convery that consumers will have a choice.

iRobot still says it plans on sharing that personal data, but it won’t be doing it for money, apparently. Angle said the data collected by the Roomba could help enhance smart homes in the future. Only this time, he made sure to say that if a consumer wanted such a feature, it would be their personal choice whether or not they wanted to share the info with other apps and devices. iRobot says Reuters initially misinterpreted Angle’s words, and the publication has since issued a correction.

The paragraph that caused the uproar consisted of the words “sell maps,” but have now been changed to “share maps for free with customer consent.” iRobot went on to say that it does not currently share data with third parties. But if it was to go ahead and so so, it will be sure to get your consent beforehand. You can probably breathe a little easier knowing that your Roomba is not a secret spy.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephen Jordan
Stephen is a freelance writer and blogger, as well as an aspiring screenwriter. Working in front of a computer and digesting…
Ultimate Roomba guide: tips, buying advice, and troubleshooting
The Roomba s9+ app.

The iRobot Roomba is what most people think of when it comes to robot vacuums. It wasn't the first, but it was the first that had some commercial success. Since the first Roomba model came out in September of 2002, there have been quite a few newcomers to iRobot's line, as well as robot mops. 20 years later, there are a plethora of robovacs available that can map multiple rooms, mop and suck up debris, and even empty themselves. Still, Roomba is one of the most popular names in the robovac business -- just ask Amazon. Maybe the company's acquisition will help make Roomba even better. That's why we've put together this guide that can help you decide which model is best for you, how to troubleshoot any issues you're having with the Roomba, and how it compares to other robovacs.
Which Roomba should you get?

When it comes to getting a robot vac, you really need to think about how you'll use it and the type of terrain in your home it will cover. For example, is your home filled with plush pile carpet or do you have hardwood floors? Will it need to navigate around pets and lots of furniture? Let's not forget price: Roomba's range in price starts at $200 for the more basic Roomba 694 and goes to $800 for the S9+ self-emptying model. You can also always find a Roomba on sale.

Read more
Will Amazon’s iRobot purchase turn your Roomba into a spy?
Amazon acquires iRobot

Amazon’s $1.7 billion acquisition of robot vacuum cleaner brand iRobot is currently the talk of the town. But despite all the ways Amazon's ownership could make Roombas better, the overwhelming sentiment is concern about dwindling privacy and shrinking competition. If you’re already paranoid about Echo speakers listening in on your conversation, the Roomba-maker’s buyout should set off some blaring alarm bells.

Here’s a rough idea of where we currently are in our intimate relationship with the omnicorporation: Amazon knows what you’re reading, the TV shows you have left incomplete, what’s on your shopping wish list, what kind of questions you trouble Alexa with on a daily basis, who your favorite music artist is, and what the view from your porch looks like -- soon, your medical history as well. With millions of Roomba vacuum cleaners soon to fall into its network, Amazon will also know your house’s floor plan, too.

Read more
Why Amazon acquiring iRobot will make Roombas even better
The iRobot app overlaid on a Roomba.

You've probably seen the news by now that Amazon has signed an agreement to buy iRobot for $1.7 billion. There have been a lot of mixed reactions to the news, but it's important to understand exactly what the agreement means.

First of all, the deal isn't complete. As of now, iRobot is still an independent company -- only the groundwork has been laid. While it's highly unlikely that it will fall through, nothing is set in stone yet. According to Amazon's own press release, "Completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by iRobot's shareholders."

Read more